As the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders conduct interviews for head coaching roles in the approaching weeks, they face a paramount question: What strategy will they employ to scout and cultivate a new, young quarterback?
Similarly, the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, during their head coach interviews, are focused on a central challenge: developing their first-round quarterback prospects, Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward. Each team already has its promising signal-caller; the task is to ensure their maturation.
Significant leadership changes within the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals will also necessitate solutions for their quarterback situations, which pose considerable uncertainties for 2026 and subsequent years.
Not all these solutions must originate from offensive head coaches, particularly in a hiring period that features a greater abundance of defensive candidates. Furthermore, in numerous thriving organizations, even the current Super Bowl titleholders, the head coach’s chief duty isn’t orchestrating the offense.
However, for clubs with fledgling quarterbacks or lingering uncertainties at the position, the urgency to discover an offensive cure-all intensifies. This frequently influences the direction of coaching hunts.
Consequently, the Baltimore Ravens possess a distinct benefit.
This is due to their announcement on Tuesday evening that, following 18 years, head coach John Harbaugh had been “removed from his position.” The Ravens stand as the sole team presently seeking a new head coach without also needing to resolve their quarterback situation.
The ability to attract coaching talent while two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is signed offers a significant advantage.
Certainly, many will contend that just as Baltimore became the most desirable among the seven and growing NFL vacancies, Harbaugh instantly emerged as the premier candidate once available. This doesn’t render the choice perplexing. When a Super Bowl-victorious coach and an MVP quarterback are involved, it’s not unusual for both to feel confident in their individual visions for future triumphs. If these visions diverge, a transition eventually becomes necessary.
However, with the Ravens aiming for a coach to break their 13-year Super Bowl dry spell, the need for extensive quarterback development will be less pronounced.
[Access further updates on the Ravens: Baltimore team coverage]
This situation, if they choose, could enable them to prioritize securing the most exceptional candidate available. Their potential for success will be elevated from the outset.
“Our roster possesses immense talent, and it’s frustrating that we haven’t been able to perform effectively and secure victories in crucial moments,” remarked fullback Patrick Ricard recently. He added, “With Lamar Jackson on our side, I believe this squad is capable of winning a Super Bowl.”
Out of 7 vacancies, Baltimore’s Jackson presents the most superior quarterback option
Some coaches and front office personnel throughout the league might assert that a coach employing systems akin to Shanahan’s or McVay’s could favor a more conventional passer as the cornerstone of their offense.
Yet, more frequently, when the unexpected news of Harbaugh’s departure surfaced on Tuesday, figures within the league quickly grasped the revised hierarchy of available positions.
“The coaching opportunities this period typically lack strong quarterbacks, so he is undeniably the premier quarterback and offensive asset accessible to any incoming coach,” an NFC executive shared with Yahoo Sports.
An assistant coach from the AFC commented regarding Jackson: “He’s compatible with any offensive strategy.”
Jackson has demonstrated this over his eight seasons since being drafted by the Ravens as the 32nd selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has secured four Pro Bowl invitations, three All-Pro recognitions, and two MVP accolades, accumulating 76 victories in 107 regular-season appearances.
Collectively, Jackson has achieved a 64.8% completion rate on his throws, tallying 22,608 yards and 187 aerial scores against 56 interceptions. According to Pro Football Reference, his career passer rating of 102.2 and 8.25 air yards per attempt are currently unrivaled all-time career benchmarks.
Furthermore, these statistics do not encompass Jackson’s impressive additional 6,522 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground.
His physical condition has occasionally been unreliable; this season, Jackson recently sat out four full contests and approximately half of another due to hamstring and back issues. Nevertheless, when fit, he excelled. An example is his Week 18 comeback from a back ailment in Pittsburgh, with the AFC North championship at stake. Even though Baltimore fell short after a missed field goal on Sunday night, Jackson connected on 11 of 18 throws for 238 yards and three scores.
He elevated his performance in the final quarter, delivering pivotal 50- and 64-yard touchdown passes to wideout Zay Flowers. The initial one occurred even though two defensive players appeared to have Jackson contained. Jackson remained composed.
“Man – I let a nose guard escape, and he somehow wriggled free and launched the ball [50] yards for a touchdown,” remarked center Tyler Linderbaum. “That illustrates his unique talent. He’s exciting to be on the field with. He’s an incredibly competitive individual, and whenever the ball is snapped and in his possession, you anticipate something spectacular will unfold.”
“Undoubtedly the most thrilling athlete in today’s sport.”
Following Harbaugh’s last game with Baltimore, Jackson withheld his public support
Amid escalating reports of friction between Jackson and Harbaugh throughout this season, Jackson was questioned last Thursday about the quality of his relationship with Harbaugh.
“Indeed, I think so,” he responded. “I’m unsure about the origin of these rumors. I’m unsure about the origin of these rumors.”
Subsequent to Baltimore’s 26-24 defeat on Sunday, Jackson faced further inquiries concerning Harbaugh.
The query was whether he wished Harbaugh to remain his head coach for the upcoming season.
“You’re inquiring about the next season,” Jackson replied. “I’m completely absorbed by tonight’s events. I’m unable to concentrate on that currently, as I just expressed. He asked me, ‘Are you shocked?’
“I am currently in shock, and I am still attempting to comprehend the situation. I understand we were defeated, but what in the world… you know?”
Indeed, the raw feelings from the abrupt conclusion of the season were potent, especially since Jackson’s extraordinary fourth-quarter efforts proved insufficient to secure a sixth playoff appearance in eight years. Nonetheless, Jackson was not unique in being asked about his coach’s prospective employment following the season’s close. He wouldn’t have been unprecedented in publicly backing a mentor after a defeat, particularly one who had spent 18 years with the franchise, boasted a Lombardi Trophy, and achieved an AFC championship game appearance alongside Jackson.
Jackson opted against that course of action.
By Tuesday evening, Harbaugh had departed. The Ravens extended their gratitude to Harbaugh for his “outstanding” 18-year tenure and the Super Bowl victory.
Harbaugh released his personal statement, notably featuring a smiley-face emoticon as he bid farewell, expressing “disappointment, to be sure, but even more so with GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION.”
The Ravens’ hunt for a new coach has commenced, as confirmed by team owner Steve Bisciotti in a declaration. Their capacity to promptly engage leading defensive prospects, such as Jesse Minter of the Los Angeles Chargers, Chris Shula of the Los Angeles Rams, and Matt Burke of the Houston Texans, might become a significant advantage.
“Having Lamar and Derrick [Henry] in the backfield is an ideal scenario, and it’s fantastic to compete alongside them,” Ricard commented. “I believe that as long as they remain with us, this team maintains a chance, regardless of other roster changes.”
